Fire Department Chainsaw

[Kenskip1]

Here is the scene. Being a volunteer fire department hear in Texas we have on many occasions to have grass fires.Many ranchers have dozed op many trees for livestock grazing ext.Last early Thursday we had a 600 acre blaze. The fire was finally put out at about 6am.
Now being a volunteer organization our funds are limited.As for saws, we have two. One is a Craftsman with a 16 b/c and the other is a Poulan (Yellow) Well we used the red Craftsman the following day on a clean up tour.This thing has no power hard to start ext. (I have since today and richened it up. I hope that this helps.
I will make a vote on getting a new and powerful saw at our next business meeting.
I have been reading about the Husky 345,450. Not sure about the Stihl lineup.
During our use we normally cut limbs from an inch all the way up to about 8-10 inch so I think an 16 B/C would work fine.
These guys are hard on a saw. I had to laugh at some of them.Any way I need some input on this subject. Ken

 

[Evan]

the dept should be able to afford a few 260s with 16" bar. many depts are running the 460 rescue saw with a carbide chain designed to take on metal and nails when sliceing through walls.

im actualy amazed your dept doesnt have one

 

[whitemountain]

If you are doing structural rescues Stihl makes a dedicated rescue saw that could have the depth limiter removed for doing tree work. It would be hard to beat the Stihl 460 Rescue. Powerful saw used by departments the world over. Downside is it's gonna set you back the better part of a thousand dollars. Seriously though if you guys are that short on funds you should have an equipment purchasing/upgrading fundraiser and let the people you serve help you buy some equipment.

Another thought for someone watching their budget is to buy good used saws from pawnshops, craigslist, etc. You could probably buy 3 good saws for the same price you would have into the 460R. Start asking around there may be someone who has a couple of good saws they used to use but are now collecting dust who would love to donate to you or your department. If your department has good repoir with the community good things will happen. Good luck!!

 

[Kenskip1]

We have a ms250 for structural situations but this saw stays in one of our pumpers.

 

[BarkBuster20]

hm im not a fireman or nothing but it sounds like you guys are hurting for some saws, if you want my opinion use the ms 250 for what you were trying to use the craftsman and poulon for and like mentioned earlier do some fundraisers and get a 460R or if short on funds get a good used 046 or 044 and buy an aftermarket b&c with a rim and use a carbide chain. i just know i wouldnt want to have somone attempting to rescue me from a burning structure with an ms250.... 460 F&R please

 

[cherrycutter]

does baileys still offer the univent?

 

[2000ssm6]

We got a old 272XP Univent but put a standard chain on it for storms. Just got a Partner K12 that was way to expensive. We could have bought the TS-800 for $700 less. If it were up to me, a 460R and TS-800 will do anything needed for fire service. A 460R with the RDR chain is much better for venting a roof with the depth gauge, most of the new guys will take the K12 and rip the rafter in halve. Not good on top of a roof with fire conditions below.

 

[2000ssm6]

does baileys still offer the univent?

That saw is at baileys for wood cutting and a poor way to try and bring the 372 back imo. If you must have the univent and use it for it's designed purpose, you will need the right chain, muffler sheild, and depth gauge added to the bar.

 

[mbopp]

Am I missing something or didn't the OP say this would be for grass fires & limb cutting? So I'm thinking a 50cc saw with good dealer support. And maybe run semi-chisel chain on it for ease of filing and being a bit more dirt-tolerant than full chisel.

 

[smokinj]

Am I missing something or didn't the OP say this would be for grass fires & limb cutting? So I'm thinking a 50cc saw with good dealer support. And maybe run semi-chisel chain on it for ease of filing and being a bit more dirt-tolerant than full chisel.

+1 260 pro 5100 dolmar or husky50cc xp

 

[SURDO]

If this saw is going to be used only for wildland fire (brush and forest fire) then i would say go with a 441, 440, 044, whichever one you can get your hands on. The 044 is pretty much the standard saw for handcrews and wildland engine crews. It is the only saw i have seen anyone use other than the occasional Husky. At the Forest Service we use nothing but Stihl.

 

[tomtrees58]

man you guys need saws tom trees

 

[7sleeper]

think about a used Makita 6400 from home depot! they uasually go for around 250$. talk to their manager and tell him what it's for. he should make a good deal or at least give you the best in his line!
More than enough power for all your needs.

they have on there German homepage security products, they have Rescue Cut Kits on there homepage.
http://www.dolmar.de/produkte/category/941/index.html

maybe it would be possible to aquire something similar or if need any help I could ask here and tell you the prices.

7

 

[brncreeper]

does baileys still offer the univent?

No, they went fast...everyone gobbled 'em up.

 

[Texas Traveler]

We have a ms250 for structural situations but this saw stays in one of our pumpers.

As a old VF I have 2 or 3 of the univent 20 inch bars & depth gages plus carbide chain for the 440 STIHL saws.
The stuff came from DFW Airport rescue saws.
I would donate to a good cause if you happen to be in the Dallas area some time.

 

[stihl86]

Kenship. Check you PM's

 

[DougNH]

That saw is at baileys for wood cutting and a poor way to try and bring the 372 back imo.

Have you ever used one? 'cuz I think that if you did, you wouldn't have a single bad thing to say about that saw.

 

[woodyman]

If you are just limbing with them you could get a few of those Ryobi 10532's everyone is praising as a pro built saw for $100.00 a pop.But I would go with a real pro saw like the Dolmar 5100,Husqvarna NE346XP or Stihl MS 260.Get something that will last and hold up to the abuse.

 

[Texas Traveler]

If you are just limbing with them you could get a few of those Ryobi 10532's everyone is praising as a pro built saw for $100.00 a pop.But I would go with a real pro saw like the Dolmar 5100,Husqvarna NE346XP or Stihl MS 260.Get something that will last and hold up to the abuse.

I can vouch for the abuse, never buy a used saw from a fire department.
I can say this from experience from 3 different fire departments with fire & rescue units.

 

[cbolyard]

If this saw is going to be used only for wildland fire (brush and forest fire) then i would say go with a 441, 440, 044, whichever one you can get your hands on. The 044 is pretty much the standard saw for handcrews and wildland engine crews. It is the only saw i have seen anyone use other than the occasional Husky. At the Forest Service we use nothing but Stihl.

For the size of stuff they are cutting an 036/360/361 with bar of choice would work fine. No need for a 70cc size saw with what the OP said they are cutting.